Facts about diesel ideling
As the vast majority of 5th wheels are being towed by diesel trucks here is some interesting facts about idling and the myths surrounding it: http://www.in.gov/idem/prevention/2372.htm
Forum Discussion
1320Fastback wrote:GordonThree wrote:
If all these facts are so well known, why do so many leave their diesel pickup idle, for example, the entire time they're setting up or breaking camp, half an hour, maybe more? When are all diesel going to come with an automatic shutdown on idle?
These are people that either are living in the past, what we call Bro Dozers or just simply uniformed. EGT gives a good indication of turbo temperature and that is usually the last thing to cool down once parked. I like to see under 200 degrees before I shut down and with a old engine I get there within 30-60 seconds. Newer trucks with all the black magic under the hood take longer but can't imagine any would need longer than 3-4 minuets to cool down.
In the old days truckers would idle all night long for two main reasons. Heat was one as there was no other source of not freezing while you slept and also you just didn't know if your truck would start again.
Actually, in really cold weather, idling at low speeds cools the engine down. I remember many nights having to run the rpm's up to get any heat out of my old Detroit in northern Ontario winters.
